Source: NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPURPOSE POTATO CULTIVARS WITH ENHANCED QUALITY, DISEASE AND PEST RESISTANCE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SPECIAL GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0222663
Grant No.
2010-34141-21315
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2010-01373
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2010
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2012
Grant Year
2010
Program Code
[AN]- Potato Research
Recipient Organization
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
1310 BOLLEY DR
FARGO,ND 58105-5750
Performing Department
Plant Sciences
Non Technical Summary
The potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (2n=4x=48), is the most important vegetable in the US, with about 21 million tons produced annually and with a 2008 farm-gate value of $3.49 billion. Our proposal directly supports a four state (Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin) potato breeding, genetics and cultivar development project in the North Central region that is both collaborative and multidisciplinary. The North Central program is an integrated, cooperative potato breeding and cultivar development effort; unique to the regional efforts in potato research, potato breeding occurs in all 4 North Central states, with each program responding to specific needs of producers, industry, and consumers in their areas. Multi-site evaluation and cultivar development is conducted by the state potato improvement teams involving potato breeders and geneticists, agronomists, plant pathologists, entomologists, and biochemists from the four state land grant universities and the USDA/ARS. Contributing to the utilization of potatoes in the North Central region are the French fry and frozen processing sector, chip processing, and reds, russets, round whites and specialty types for the fresh and storage tablestock market. Our breeding programs focus on market limiting traits as a basis in breeding superior cultivars for these specific end uses. For example, in the processing sector, high specific gravity, low sugar content, long-term storability, bruise resistance, and tuber shape are market limiting traits, in addition to sugar end resistance for French fry cultivars. Minimum standards are established from which our advanced germplasm is then compared. Upon this foundation, we combine traits that will provide durable host plant resistance to regionally important pathogens, insect pests and environmental stresses, and enhanced plant physiological efficiencies resulting in improved nutritional attributes for consumers and more sustainable environmental quality, as prioritized by our stakeholders. The overall objectives of the proposed research are to 1 - Develop potato (Solanum tuberosum Group Tuberosum L.) cultivars and germplasm for release and commercialization in the North Central region and beyond; 2 - Evaluate germplasm for traits that are market limiting in the North Central region, focusing on durable and multiple resistances to important disease, insect pest and environmental stresses including late blight, Verticillium wilt, common scab, PVY, Colorado Potato Beetle, and cold sweetening, as prioritized by the industry in our region; 3 - Conduct breeding studies to improve early generation selection (EGS) strategies and develop novel technologies to enhance cultivar commercialization; and 4 - Combine the phenotypic evaluation of a mapping population with the genotype data generated by SolCAP to identify marker-trait associations for genes with large effects for market-limiting variables. The project primarily employs traditional breeding techniques, but also includes utilization and development of marker-assisted selection and early generation screening techniques to enhance selection efforts for resistance to disease and insect pests and stresses.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
5%
Applied
90%
Developmental
5%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011310108020%
2021310108020%
2031310102020%
2041310101020%
2051310106020%
Knowledge Area
204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 205 - Plant Management Systems; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 202 - Plant Genetic Resources; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1310 - Potato;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1080 - Genetics; 1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
Objective 1 - Develop potato (Solanum tuberosum Group Tuberosum L.) cultivars and germplasm for release, commercialization, and adoption in the NC region and beyond. Objective 2 - Evaluate germplasm for traits that are market limiting in the NC region, focusing on tuber quality, pest resistance, and market limiting traits, as prioritized by the industry in our region. Objective 3 - Conduct breeding studies to improve early generation selection (EGS) strategies and develop novel technologies to enhance cultivar commercialization. Objective 4 - Combine the phenotypic evaluation of a mapping population with the genotype data generated by SolCAP to identify marker-trait associations for genes with large effects for market-limiting variables.
Project Methods
This is an integrated, four-state (Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin) potato breeding and cultivar development effort for the North Central U.S. Potato breeding occurs in all 4 states, with each program responding to specific needs of potato producers, the potato industry, and consumers in their area. Our interdisciplinary potato improvement teams include federal, university and industry research components. Annually the 4 breeding programs establish crossing blocks in the greenhouse using advancing selections, released cultivars, wild germplasm from the NRSP6 Potato Genebank, and lines from collaborating breeding programs around the globe. About 2000 new families are created by the 4 programs; about 300,000 individual seedlings are produced in greenhouses from true potato seed. Each program retains the largest tuber per individual seedling as the initial propagation material for the first field generation; excess seedling tubers are shared with breeding programs across the U.S. Progeny are selected in the field primarily by phenotypic selection, based on visual assessment of important qualities and traits for specific market types important to stakeholders. Early generation selection technologies are utilized, such as use of a detached leaf assay to identify seedlings resistant to late blight. Our project focuses on development of cultivars possessing durable host-plant resistance to disease and insect pests including late blight, common scab, PVY, Verticillium wilt, Fusarium dry rot, Colorado potato beetle, and aphids. Market limiting traits such as yield, maturity, processing qualities, appearance, and internal and external defects are priorities assessed at each stage of the breeding process. As clones advance, the number of hills produced and traits evaluated increases. Replicated preliminary and elite trials using RCBD are conducted within individual states. ANOVA and mean comparisons are determined using PC-based statistical packages. Superior selections are meristemmed and undergo virus eradication procedures, allowing inclusion into the limited generation certified seed potato production system. Exceptional selections are entered in the North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial for up to 3 years prior to cultivar release; Minnesota coordinates this trial across 10 sites. Collaborative evaluation for disease, insect pest and stress resistance is conducted by members of the 4 improvement teams. For example, researchers in MI assess resistance to common scab, while researchers in ND evaluate bacterial ring rot symptom expression and sensitivity to the herbicide metribuzin. This information is used in determining appropriateness for release and in development of cultivar specific management profiles. Sensory evaluation of baked, boiled, micro-waved baked, French fries and reconstituted potato flakes is conducted to determine consumer acceptance for taste, texture and color. The USDA-ARS Potato Worksite in East Grand Forks, MN evaluates chip and frozen processing potential and storage characteristics. Results are presented in annual reports and at grower/industry meetings to potato producers and industry personnel.

Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: North Central (NC) region state research advisory boards (Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPC), Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association) have identified a vital need for development of improved potato cultivars exhibiting superior agronomic performance, quality attributes, & host plant resistance to potato insects, diseases, & stresses. The project's long-term goals are to develop potato cultivars adapted to our individual states & region in response to producer, industry, & consumer needs. Genetic improvement via traditional breeding is a continuous cycle of parental selection, hybridization, seedling production, selection/evaluation, seed multiplication, & commercialization; the timetable for releasing a cultivar ranges from 10-15 yrs. We are exploring/adopting methods to accelerate this, via early generation selection techniques, marker assisted selection, and micropropagation strategies. Germplasm enhancement is used to introgress traits & to develop durable & long-term resistance to pests & stresses. In 2012, 200,000+ single hills were evaluated for adaptation across the region; selection ranged from 1-5%, based upon phenotype & pedigree. Numbers retained vary by program for all stages, with 1,000 or more advanced selections in the pipeline. Field trial evaluations include yield, grade, disease incidence, physiological defects, cultural requirements, & processing quality at harvest & from low temperature storage. Programs exchange germplasm for evaluation at all stages. All contribute to the North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial (NCPVT); MN02586, MN04844-07, W6002-1R, W8405-1R (fresh), W6234-4Russ, MN02467, MN02419, MN18747, AND00618-2RussY, ND8068-5Russ (processing), W5015-12, Lelah (W2717-5), ND7519-1 & ND8305-1 (chippers) were evaluated & compared to industry standards for each market type, across the region in the 2012 NCPVT; several are under consideration for release. All programs provide lines for evaluation via the National Chip Breeders Trial (NCBT), with goals of rapidly identifying &developing clones to replace Atlantic for southern production areas, and Snowden from storage and the National Fry Processing Trial (NFPT), an industry driven trial. Collaborative evaluations are conducted for resistance to late blight, common scab, PVY foliar expression, Colorado Potato Beetle, amongst others. Chip & French fry processing selections are evaluated in collaboration with the USDA Potato Research Worksite at East Grand Forks. SolCAP mapping populations were created by our group; phenotyping was initiated across locations. SNP genotyping is accomplished with the Illumina 8303 SNP potato array designed by SolCAP; QTL analysis is conducted for disease & quality traits. Molecular markers based on SNP are being identified, enhancing discovery of potential genes & physiological mechanisms, enhancing marker assisted selection procedures, & speeding cultivar development. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals Dr. Asunta L. Thompson, PI Dr. David Douches, PI Dr. Felix Navarro, PI Dr. Christian Thill, PI Partner Organizations Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council Michigan Potato Industry Commission Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Lamb-Weston/ConAgra JR Simplot Co. Cavendish Farms Barrel of Fun Frito-Lay Collaborators and Contracts Dr. Neil Gudmestad Dr. Gary Secor Dr. Nicholas David Mr. Marty Glynn Dr. Joseph Sowokinos Dr. Edward Lulai Dr. Jeffrey Suttle Dr. Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti Dr. Jiwan Palta Dr. Chris Long Dr. Carl Rosen Dr. Jerry Bergman Dr. A.J. Bussan Dr. Zsofia Szendrei Dr. Russel Groves Dr. Ian V. MacRae Dr. William Kirk Dr. James Bradeen Dr. Amy Charkowski Dr. Rich Novy Dr. J. Creighton Miller, Jr. Dr. David Holm Dr. Greg Porter Dr. Craig Yencho Dr. Shelley Jansky Dr. John Bamberg Dr. Kathy Haynes Dr. Mike Thornton Dr. Mark Pavek Mr. Duane Preston TARGET AUDIENCES: Potato producers (seed and commercial) Potato industry personnel (frozen processing, chip processing, fresh pack, crop protection, storage specialists) Consumers Scientific (research) community PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The North Central Region (NC) is a diverse potato production area. Potato seed, processing potatoes (French fries & chips), fresh & specialty potato production are found in MI, MN, ND & WI. The region accounts for 97,529 ha of potato production, 22% of the U.S. potato production area (NASS 2012). Potato is the highest volume vegetable crop in the NC region. Based on 2011 data, NC region states rank 3rd (WI), 6th (ND), 7th (MN) & 8th (MI) in US potato production (NASS 2012). MN & ND production markets include ~9-15% seed; 72-61% frozen processing; 14-18% tablestock (fresh and storage), and 5-7% chip processing, respectively. The MI & WI industries are dominated by chip processing, with greater than 60% ha in chipping varieties. Michigan ranks as the industry's largest northern supplier of chipping potatoes to NC & Eastern markets. The farm-gate value of the region's production amounted to ~ $758 million; $164 million (MI), $157 million (MN), $181 million (ND), & $263 million (WI) in 2011 (NASS 2012). A large portion of production is processed. ND potatoes for the French fry market go to JR Simplot Co. in Grand Forks, Cavendish Farms in Jamestown, or Lamb-Weston (ConAgra) in Park Rapids, MN. The majority of MN processing potatoes go to Lamb-Weston (ConAgra) in Park Rapids, in addition to the plants in Grand Forks or Jamestown, ND. Frito Lay, the dominant chip-processing company with over 60% of the US market, has invested heavily in raw product from WI & MI. In addition, the region is a major supplier of raw product to the regional chip processors in ND, MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NC, amongst others, who play an important role in the region. The dynamics of an ever changing national potato industry have resulted in ND, MN, WI, and MI having a greater role as raw potato product suppliers, due to favorable transportation savings. This has led to the construction of a $20M state-of-the-art fresh packing facility on the MI and Indiana border. New improved tablestock varieties are needed that are adapted to the NC region. This has not been a priority due to dominance of processing. The NC states are suppliers of high quality seed potatoes, free of quarantined insect & nematode pests. Our efforts to develop cultivars resistant to multiple diseases, pests & stresses has resulted in identification of germplasm and cultivar releases possessing resistance to diseases, pests & stresses including late blight, common scab, Verticillium wilt, Colorado potato beetle, and cold sweetening. Some clones are utilized as parental material for further hybridization; others continue through evaluation to release. Recent cultivar releases from the NC programs with multiple resistances & finding production niches are Dakota Diamond, Dakota Trailblazer, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Boulder, MonDak Gold (MN15620), Nicolet (W2133-1), Tundra (W2310-3), Accumulator, Villetta Rose & Spartan Splash.

Publications

  • Thill, C. and J. Miller. 2012. 2011 University of Minnesota Potato Breeding and Genetics. Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2011 Research Reports.
  • Thompson, A. 2012. Larimore, North Dakota 2011 processing potato trials. Valley potato Grower 77(215):15-21.
  • Quantification of Verticillium dahliae in potato stems for the determination of early dying resistance. Robert P. Sabba, Asunta L. Thompson, Julie S. Pasche, and Neil C. Gudmestad. Potato Association of America annual meeting, August 2012. Oral paper (Abstract).
  • Thompson, A. 2012. Oakes, North Dakota 2011 processing potato trial. Valley Potato Grower.
  • Thompson, A. 2012. North Dakota potato breeding - 2011 Summary. Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2011 Research Reports.


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: State research advisory boards (Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPC), Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association) have identified a critical need for development of improved potato cultivars exhibiting superior agronomic performance, quality attributes, & host plant resistance to potato insects, diseases, & stresses. Our long-term goals are to develop potato cultivars adapted to our individual states & region in response to producer, industry, & consumer needs. Genetic improvement via traditional breeding is a continuous cycle of parental selection, hybridization, seedling production, selection/evaluation, seed multiplication, & commercialization. The timetable of releasing a cultivar ranges from 10-15 yrs. We are exploring/adopting methods to accelerate this via early generation selection techniques, marker assisted selection, and micropropagation strategies. Germplasm enhancement (exploitation of wild species, wild species hybrids, use of cultivars and germplasm from around the globe) is used to introgress traits and develop durable and long-term resistance to pests and stresses. More than 200,000 single hills were evaluated for adaptation across the region. Selection ranged from 1-5%, based upon phenotype & pedigree. Programs vary in numbers retained at all stages (2,000 or more advanced selections each). Field trial evaluations include yield, grade, disease incidence, physiological defects, cultural requirements, & processing quality at harvest & from low temperature storage. Programs exchange germplasm for evaluation at various stages. All contribute to the North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial (NCPVT); MSQ440-2, W6511-1R, W6002-1R, MSQ176-5, MSL268-D, MSM182-1, MSL211-3, ND8555-8R, AND00272-1R (fresh), ND8229-3 (proc), W2310-3, MN02588, MN02586, W2978-3, MSR169-84, W2717-5 (chippers) were evaluated across the region in the 2011 NCPVT. Selections are compared to industry standards for each market type. Several will be considered for release in late 2011/2012. Collaborative evaluations are conducted for resistance to late blight, common scab, potato virus Y/foliar expression, & Colorado Potato Beetle, and others. Processing selections (chip and French fry) are processed in collaboration with the USDA Potato Research Worksite at East Grand Forks. MonDak Gold (MN15620) was released in 2010; suited for processing and the fresh market, it has low acrylamide levels and resistance to cold induced sweetening. Nicolet (W2133-1) and Tundra (W2310-3) were released after positive reviews from on-farm and commercial scale evaluations. SolCAP mapping populations have been created by our group; phenotyping was initiated across locations. SNP genotyping is accomplished with the Illumina 8303 SNP potato array designed by SolCAP; QTL analysis will be conducted for disease & quality traits. Molecular markers based on SNP will be identified; potentially genes and physiological mechanisms discovered. This will greatly enhance marker assisted selection procedures in the near future, speeding cultivar development. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Dr. Asunta L. Thompson, PI Dr. David Douches, PI Dr. Felix Navarro, PI Dr. Christian Thill, PI Partner Organizations: Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council Michigan Potato Industry Commission Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Lamb-Weston/ConAgra JR Simplot Co. Cavendish Farms Barrel of Fun Frito-Lay Collaborators and Contracts: Dr. Neil Gudmestad Dr. Gary Secor Dr. Nicholas David Mr. Marty Glynn Dr. Joseph Sowokinos Dr. Edward Lulai Dr. Jeffrey Suttle Dr. Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti Dr. Jiwan Palta Dr. Chris Long Dr. Carl Rosen Dr. Jerry Bergman Dr. A.J. Bussan Dr. Zsofia Szendrei Dr. Russel Groves Dr. Ian V. MacRae Dr. William Kirk Dr. James Bradeen Dr. Amy Charkowski Dr. Rich Novy Dr. J. Creighton Miller, Jr. Dr. David Holm Dr. Greg Porter Dr. Craig Yencho Dr. Shelley Jansky Dr. John Bamberg Dr. Kathy Haynes Dr. Mike Thornton Dr. Mark Pavek Mr. Duane Preston TARGET AUDIENCES: Potato producers (seed and commercial,) potato industry personnel (frozen processing, chip processing, fresh pack, crop protection, storage specialists), consumers, scientific (research) community. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Certified seed, processing (French fries, other frozen, potato chips), fresh & specialty potato production are found in MI, MN, ND and WI. The region accounts for 96,518 ha or 22% of US production (NASS 2010). Potato ranks as the highest volume vegetable crop in the region. NC states rank 3rd (WI), 5th (ND), 6th (MN), & 8th (MI) in US production (NASS 2010). MN & ND production markets include about 9-15% seed, 72-61% frozen processing, 14-18% tablestock (fresh & storage), and 5-7% chip processing. The MI and WI potato industries are dominated by chip processing, with greater than 60% of ha in chipping varieties; MI ranks as the industry's largest northern supplier of chipping potatoes to NC and Eastern markets. The farm-gate value of the region's production amounted to approx. $758 million; $164 million (MI), $157 million (MN), $181 million (ND), and $256 million (WI) in 2009 (NASS 2010). Since a large portion of NC production is processed, the value-added component considerably increases the crop's contribution to the region's economy. The majority of ND potatoes for the French fry market go to JR Simplot Co. in Grand Forks, Cavendish Farms in Jamestown, or to Lamb-Weston (ConAgra) in Park Rapids, MN. The majority of MN processing potatoes go to Lamb-Weston (ConAgra) in Park Rapids, in addition to the ND plants. Frito Lay, the dominant chip-processing company (+60% of the US market), invests heavily in raw product from WI and MI. The NC is a major supplier of raw product to regional chip processors in ND, MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NC, and others. The dynamics of an ever changing national potato industry have resulted in rethinking the roles that ND, MN, WI, and MI have as raw potato product suppliers, due to favorable transportation savings from NC sites. This has led to the construction of a $20M state-of-the-art fresh packing facility on the MI and Indiana border. New and improved tablestock varieties need to be developed that are adapted to the NC region. This had not been a priority due to dominance of processing. The NC states are suppliers of high quality seed potatoes free of newly quarantined insect and nematode pests. Our efforts to develop cultivars resistant to multiple diseases, pests and stresses has resulted in identification of germplasm and cultivar releases possessing resistance to diseases, pests and stresses including late blight, common scab, Verticillium wilt, Colorado potato beetle, and cold sweetening. Some clones are utilized as parental material for further hybridization; others continue through evaluation toward release. Recent cultivar releases from the NC programs with multiple resistances & finding production niches are Dakota Diamond, Dakota Trailblazer, Missaukee, Kalkaska, and Boulder. Since its inception in 1930, the NDSU breeding program has released 24 cultivars; many have significantly impacted the North American potato industry. The MSU program was initiated in 1988, releasing 9 cultivars. The UMN breeding program initiated in 1917, focused on enhancing parental germplasm from NRSP6 stocks, releasing 17 cultivars & distributed nationally species x Tuberosum enhanced hybrids as breeding germplasm.

Publications

  • Thill, C. and J. Miller. 2011. 2010 University of Minnesota Potato Breeding and Genetics. Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2011 Research Reports. Pgs. 148-212.
  • Thompson, S. 2011. 2011 potato improvement research report. Valley Potato Grower 76(211):24-25.
  • Thompson, S. 2011. 2011 potato field research in North Dakota and Minnesota. Valley Potato Grower 76(209):18-25.
  • Thompson, A.L., B. Farnsworth, R. Nilles. 2011. Development of chip processing potato cultivars with long-term storage capabilities and cold sweetening resistance, Inkster, 2010. Valley Potato Grower 76(208):16-23.
  • Sabba, R., J. Pasche, A. Thompson and N Gudmestad. 2011. Evaluating Verticillium wilt resistance in advancing NDSU potato selections and new cultivars. Valley Potato Grower 76(208):24-28.
  • Thompson, A, B Farnsworth and R Nilles. 2011. North Dakota potato breeding. Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2011 Research Reports. Pgs. 213-226.
  • Thompson, A.L., B.L. Farnsworth, N.C. Gudmestad, G.A. Secor, N. David, R. Nilles. 2011. Dakota Trailblazer. PVP Application 201100304.
  • Thill, C. 2011. MonDak Gold. PVP Application.